For parents of newborns, learning that their baby has hearing loss will feel overwhelming and disheartening. Babies who have hearing loss can do well with early diagnosis and intervention, which is positive news. Indeed, they are capable of acquiring linguistic abilities, refining their communication skills, and forming profound bonds with their surroundings, inevitably giving rise to a rich and fulfilling existence.
Two of the most useful tools for assisting babies with hearing loss are hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Understanding Hearing Loss in Infants
Causes of infant hearing loss: Various factors to think about:
- Hereditary traits (even in the absence of a family background)
- Congenital infections including cytomegalovirus (CMV) or rubella
- Complications during birth, such as lack of oxygen or prematurity
- Certain medications used in neonatal intensive care
Early diagnosis is crucial. That’s why babies in the United States are evaluated for hearing loss before leaving the hospital. Pediatric hearing experts follow the “1-3-6” standard:
- Screened by 1 month
- Diagnosed by 3 months
- Intervention (with hearing devices or therapy) begun by 6 months
Reaching these developmental milestones is critical for babies to reach optimal progress in speech, language, and cognitive growth. If you need guidance on these screenings, your pediatrician will be glad to help!
Hearing Aids for Babies and Toddlers
For infants with mild to severe hearing loss, hearing aids are often the first avenue of treatment. These small, wearable devices boost sound, helping infants hear speech and external sounds more clearly.
Hearing aids are:
- Safe for infants as young as a few weeks old
- Made with soft, comfortable ear molds that change as the baby grows
- Featuring secure battery compartments and child-friendly design elements
- Custom-programmed by a pediatric audiologist to match your child’s hearing profile
As your baby grows, hearing aids will need to be adjusted regularly to ensure proper fit and performance.
Cochlear Implants for Infants
A cochlear implant may be suggested for an infant with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss who does not get adequate benefit from hearing aids.
Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants:
- Are implanted with a surgical procedure
- Recover hearing by circumventing inner ear damage
- Transform audio into electric impulses that directly stimulate the hearing nerve
Benefits of Cochlear Implants:
- Endorsed by the FDA for use in infants aged 9 to 12 months
- Most effective when paired with early therapy and family support
- Recommended only after a comprehensive assessment by an audiologist and ENT specialist
This procedure includes imaging, hearing exams, and discussions about long-term expectations and outcomes.
Hearing Aids vs. Cochlear Implants: What’s the Difference?
Hearing aids:
- Mild to severe hearing loss
- Non-Invasive
- Sound processing amplification
- Starts at Infancy
Cochlear Implants:
- Severe to profound hearing loss
- Invasive (Surgical)
- Converts Sound Electrical Signals
- Starts at 9-12 Months
Hearing Aids vs. Cochlear Implants: Concluding Thoughts
Following a diagnosis of hearing loss in your infant, a number of choices and resources are accessible to help you navigate this journey. Thanks to the expertise of hearing specialists who deal with children, the majority of young patients are able to obtain language skills that are equivalent to those of their peers.
Taking prompt action can have a far-reaching and long lasting impact on a child’s life, irrespective of whether they require hearing aids or cochlear implants to deal with their hearing needs.
Have questions about your baby’s hearing health? Contact us now to schedule a comprehensive assessment and customized treatment plan.
Sources:
cdc.gov/ hearing-loss-children-guide/ parents-guide/understanding-hearing-loss. html.
boystownhospital.org/knowledge-center/hearing-aids-babies.
hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/cochlear-implants/childrens-.
cochlear-implants.
dukehealth.org/blog/hearing-aids-vs-cochlear-implants.